Rio Ferdinand has suggested that former Manchester United teammate Wayne Rooney has overlooked one player as part of a team rebuild after his comments on Bruno Fernandes.
Manchester United’s turbulent season is inching closer to the finishing line and the Red Devils are expected to make sweeping changes this summer.
Erik ten Hag’s men will be without Champions League football for the following campaign after the Red Devils fell well short of the Premier League top four.
The under-fire United boss has had to contend with injuries ravaging his first-team squad amid a lack of consistency and form from the Red Devils during the campaign.
Erik ten Hag’s long-term future at Old Trafford is also up in the air after club co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos team took control of football operations at United.
Despite the uncertainty around his future at United, Ten Hag could still lift major silverware at the Red Devils this season after his side reached the FA Cup final.
United will face Manchester City in the FA Cup final on 25th May at Wembley, with Ten Hag keen to avenge last season’s defeat to the club’s crosstown rivals.
What did Rooney say about Fernandes?
Manchester United are expected to reinforce in the summer with new signings, but the Red Devils could also see a major clearout of first-team players.
Raphael Varane has already confirmed his departure this summer and Anthony Martial is expected to leave once his contract expires at the end of the season.
Jadon Sancho’s future remains shrouded in mystery amid his falling out with Erik ten Hag, while Sofyan Amrabat is likely to be sent back to Fiorentina after his loan spell.
Speaking after United’s 3-2 win over Newcastle at Old Trafford on Wednesday, Wayne Rooney offered his two cents on the situation at United at the moment.
The United legend suggested that the Red Devils need to build around Bruno Fernandes and keep hold of the young players going forward.
“You have to build around Bruno,” Rooney said on Sky Sports.
“He’s the one player with quality. He has got fight in him. I think you keep the young players and Bruno. I think it has to be a massive clearout, it has to be.
“It’s not going to be in one year but it’s got to be over the next couple of years.”
Ferdinand reacts to Rooney’s Fernandes remarks
Despite Rooney’s admission that he would keep United youngsters, Rio Ferdinand believes one player should have the team built around him alongside Fernandes.
Kobbie Mainoo has had a remarkable breakout season at Old Trafford and the United midfielder has become a regular starter under Ten Hag.
Ferdinand has raved about the 19-year-old Stockport-born player and even reminded him of AC Milan legend Clarence Seedorf.
Speaking to The Daily Mail, the United legend was asked about Rooney’s comments and feels that the team rebuild should be around Kobbie Mainoo and Fernandes.
“Whether that happens or not, I don’t know, but for the players they’ve got if they’re going to build around one of them, it would be Bruno for me – with Kobbie Mainoo as well,” Ferdinand said.
“I think that’s going to happen anyway, a lot of the players will be on the market.”